Machine for turning the edges of flexible material



Feb. 13, M. BALSAM I MACHINE FOR TURNING THE EDGES OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL Filed June 27, 1933 lI um INVENTOR 1 4 6 A j MJMM ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR TURNING THE EDGES OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL This invention relates to a machine for turning the edges of non-metallic flexible material such, for instance, as leather, textiles and the like.

The machine is particularly adapted for turning the edges of leather that is to be used in the construction of handle covers for pocketbooks, suitcases and the like, but it is not limited to that use.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a machine wherein the edges of the material are initially bent and subsequently folded into their final position.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of means for clamping the material during both the bending and folding operations.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of means for freeing the material subsequent to the completion of the bending and folding operations.

Other objects will appear as the description progresses.

One embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawing, but it is to be understood that the ivention is not limited to that specific embodiment.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower pad and bending element;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the machine showing the material clamped between the pads subsequent to the bending operation but prior to the folding operation;

Fig. 4 is a similar view subsequent to the folding operation; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modification.

In the embodiment disclosed in the drawing the bending element 1 is supported on a suitable base 2. A recess 3 is formed in the bending element 1, is closed at its lower end by the base 2 and is open at its upper end. A pad 4, of the form of the recess but of less depth than that of the recess, is mounted to slide vertically in the recess. The upper face of this pad 4 is normally flush with the upper face of the bending element 1. The positioning of the pad 4 is insured by a stop 5 which is in the form of a bolt which is slidable through the base 2 and is provided with a head that contacts with the base in limiting the movement of the pad.

The pad 4 is normally urged upwardly by springs 6 which are located within the recess 3 of the bending element 1.

The bending element 1 is, preferably, provided with adjustable gauges '7 to accommodate material of various sizes and shapes.

A folding element 8 is located above the bend ing element 1 and is mounted on a shaft 9 that may be actuated by either a power or foot press (not shown).

The width of the folding element 8 is slightly less than that of the recess 3 in the bending element 1, so that it may freely enter said recess.

The lower edge of the folding element 8 is provided with a cam surface 10 with which the material being operated upon engages during the downward movement of the folding element whereby the material that has been previously bent by the bending element will be folded into its final position.

A pad 11 is carried by the folding element 8 in a recess 12 and is adapted to move with the folding element and also independently thereof. This upper pad 11 is normally urged downwardly by springs 13 that are relatively stronger than the springs 6 that support the lower pad and the downward movement is limited by stops 14 that are in the form of bolts, slidable through the folding element and having heads engageable with the same.

The lower pad 4 has a slight amount of lateral play so that one side may be depressed more than the other to compensate for the variation 7 in thickness of the material to be operated upon.

In operation the flexible material whose edges are to be folded is placed upon the lower pad 4 and overlaps the turning element 1, as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1, while the pads 4 and 11 are separated as shown in Fig. 1.

The press is then operated to lower the folding element 8 during the initial movement of which folding element the pad 11 travels with it. As the pad 11 engages the flexible material being operated upon the latter is clamped between the two pads. During the continued downward movement of the folding element and upper pad, the lower pad is depressed because of the fact that the supporting springs 6 are relatively weakn, er than the springs 13.

As the lower pad is depressed the flexible material engages the walls of the recess 3 and the edges of the material are curled over as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. When the lower pad reaches the limit of its downward movement, the folding element continues to curve downwardly and the engagement of the edges of the material causes the folding of the edges until the limit of movement is reached, at which time the edges will be completely folded as shown in Fig. 4. 1m

Should it be desirable the edges of the material may be coated with an adhesive before the material is placed upon the lower pad. In this event the folding element will not only fold the edges of the material but will also cause their cohesion.

When the press is released the folding element will first recede independent of the upper pad. The upper pad will then follow as will also the lower pad, the two pads, however, maintaining their gripping action on the material until the lower pad has reached the upper limit of its travel, at which time the folded material may be stripped from the machine.

It sometimes happens that after the edges of the material have been folded the folding element and upper pad will recede without the lower pad following. When this occurs it is because of the fact that the material becomes jammed in the recess in the bending element and the springs 6 are of insufiicient strength to raise the lower pad against the added resistance. To overcome this possibility a positively actuated element for raisingthe lower pad may be provided. This arm 15 is rigid with the folding element 8 and is adapted to engage the element 5 so that as the folding element is raised the lower pad will be forced upwardly.

In order that the folding of all of the edges of the material may be facilitated, it is desirable to notch the material at the corners or at least to slit the material at the corners. If, however, the material is very light, this notching or slitting need not take place as the machine will fold the material into its proper form without such notching or slitting.

It is of course to be understood that should it be desired the folding element 8 may be heated so that the folded edges of the material will be pressed in place without the aid of an adhesive.

I claim:

In a machine for turning the edges of nonmetallic flexible material, a bending element having a recess therein, a lower pad movable within the recess and of substantially the same dimensions as the recess, an upper pad movable toward and with the lower pad to clamp the work to the lower pad, the upper pad being of lesser dimensions than said recess, a folding element movable into said recess within the space between the upper pad and the bending element to fold the material against the lower pad, and means for positively supporting the lower pad during the folding operation.

MAURICE M. BALSAM. 

